SheBelieves Cup: Catarina Macario's brace powers USWNT to 5-0 win over Iceland to win another trophy

A young USWNT squad defeated an experienced Iceland side

The United States national team are 2022 SheBelieves Cup champions after defeating Iceland 5-0 on Wednesday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The game was the final matchday for the tournament. Catarina Macario, Mallory Pugh and Kristie Mewis scored for the USWNT in the victory. 

Macario earned a brace in the first half and opened up the goal scoring for the USWNT just after the half-hour mark with a goal from the edge of the box. She scored the go-ahead goal just ahead of halftime with a shot that floated past the keeper.

The team outshot Iceland 11-2 in the first half and USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski made no immediate substitutions to begin the second half. The attacking core of Macario, Pugh, Smith and Sanchez remained active on offense early and often; Pugh scored a goal during the 60th minute. Pugh and Macario recorded assists on each other's goals, including an impressive linkup during a breakaway opportunity in the 75th minute. 

Mewis added a fifth and final goal late in the game as a young USWNT squad defeated an experienced Iceland side. The victory clinches a fifth SheBelives Cup title for the USWNT and a second for coach Andonovski. 

[Feb 23, 2022 at 8:10 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

USWNT Starting XI 

Starting Lineup: 18-Casey Murphy, 5-Kelley O'Hara (Capt.), 9-Mallory Pugh, 11-Sophia Smith, 12-Tierna Davidson, 13-Ashley Sanchez, 15-Alana Cook, 17-Andi Sullivan, 19-Emily Fox, 20-Catarina Macario, 22-Kristie Mewis

Available Subs: 1-Alyssa Naeher, 2-Trinity Rodman, 3-Lynn Williams, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 6-Morgan Gautrat, 7-Ashley Hatch, 8-Sofia Huerta, 10-Jaelin Howell, 14-Emily Sonnett, 16-Rose Lavelle, 21-Aubrey Kingsbury, 23-Margaret Purce

[Feb 23, 2022 at 10:51 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Both Pugh and Macario off for the night after scoring two goals each. The USWNT attack definitely ending in a stronger place than when they began this tournament. 

[Feb 23, 2022 at 10:28 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

GOAL

Mal Pugh extends the lead to 3 with a goal in the 60th minute. Macario and Sanchez linking up once again to spearhead the attack. 

[Feb 23, 2022 at 10:15 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Second half

No immediate substitutions for the USWNT to kick off the second half. But two back to back opportunities on corner kicks to help continue their tempo. Still 2-0 as the game approaches the 49th minute.